Anxiety - Panic Disorder

Matthew DeLorenzo 10/16/15 Health 2

Anxiety - Panic Disorder

Matthew DeLorenzo 10/16/15 Health 2

Stay calm when things go wrong!

Anxiety - Panic Disorder

This is a disorder that causes sudden attacks of terror that seems to have no cause, called panic attacks, but is usually linked with certain situations. This disorder is fairly common; effecting one out of twenty people. Panic attacks can strike at any moment without any warning. This may cause someone to withdraw from normal activities. The sooner you seek help with this disorder, the better.

Definition

Anxiety-Panic Disorder- A disorder in which inappropriate, intense apprehension and physical symptoms of fear occur so frequently as to produce significant impairment.

Backround Info

Panic has not always been recognized as an exclusive psychiatric condition. Before panic disorder was proven, many doctors would that it is all in your head. Also, many would blame it on nerves or just stress. There was not much information on this disorder, until the DSM-III, or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders, established the overall concept of the disorder. Many famous people have Panic Anxiety-Disorder, such as Johnny Depp, Adele, and Oprah Winfrey.

Causes

Genetic pre - disposition towards being excessively anxious and apprehensive is a cause of this disorder. This makes their flight or flight warning system extra sensitive. Past experiences and history of uncontrollable events such as family illness, death, and other traumas may also increase vulnerability to the disorder. Drug abuse, medication withdrawal, and any type of severe stress.

Symptoms

Anxiety - Panic Disorder can cause trembling, a pounding heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pains, feeling unreal or detached, chills/hot flashes, fears of dying, fear of going crazy/loosing control, and can lead to the development of other phobias, like agoraphobia, the fear of open places.

5 Signs And Symptoms Of Anxiety & Panic Attacks

Age/Gender Specifics

This disorder effects more women than men by a 2-1 ratio. Also, people in their early 20's are more likely to expierince their first panic attack, and people under 16 and over 45 are unlikely to recieve a panic attack.

Treatments

One method of treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on the thinking patterns and behaviors that trigger or sustain the panic attacks. This helps you look at your fears at a more realistic angle. Another method of treatment is Exposure Therapy, which exposes you to the sensation of panic in a controlled environment, allowing you to cope with the panic. This makes you feel less afraid, and more in control of your problems. Medication can also be used to temporarily control your symptoms, such as antidepressants, which take several weeks to work, and benzodiazepines, which act quickly, from 30 minutes to an hour, but medication does not treat or resolve the problem.

Agencies

One agency you can contact is ADAA, or the Anxiety Disorder Association of America, at 204-485-1001. They are located at 8701 George Avenue, Suite #412 Silver Spring, MD 20910. Another agency you can contact is MedlinePlus, at custserv@nlm.nih.gov. They are located at 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894. Also, Mayo Clinic has details about the disorder, at 480-301-8000. They are located at 13400 E. Shea Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85259.